Filtered Decisions

The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award finding that employee Carla Rucker sustained a work-related injury to her left wrist on January 10, 2005, with 25% permanent partial disability and permanent total disability when combined with preexisting conditions. The Second Injury Fund's challenge to causation and the accident itself was rejected as unsupported by evidence.

The Commission reversed the Administrative Law Judge's award finding that employee Angela Bond sustained a compensable work injury to her right wrist from a fall caused by tripping over a telephone cord on May 17, 2007. The Commission determined that the employee's injury did not arise out of and in the course of her employment, and therefore reversed the award of past medical expenses, future medical treatment, and attorney's fees.

The Commission modified the administrative law judge's award regarding when permanent total disability benefits should begin for employee James Brawley's work-related wrist injury. The Commission determined that permanent benefits should commence on July 17, 2006 (when maximum medical improvement was reached) rather than May 17, 2006, and ordered the Second Injury Fund to pay benefits at the modified differential and permanent rates accordingly.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award allowing workers' compensation benefits for a right wrist injury (case 03-024741) sustained on March 10, 2003, while the employee was emptying water from a parts washer. The Commission found the injury compensable and arose out of and in the course of employment, while denying a second claim (03-088603) filed for the same body part on July 22, 2003.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award denying compensation for injury No. 03-088603, finding that the employee's wrist injury from pulling a heavy mold did not arise out of and in the course of employment. The Commission determined the award was supported by competent and substantial evidence and was made in accordance with the Missouri Workers' Compensation Act.

The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award finding that the employee sustained a 75% permanent partial disability of the right wrist on February 24, 2003, and had a pre-existing 16% permanent partial disability of the lumbar spine that constituted an obstacle to employment, triggering Second Injury Fund liability. The employee's combined disabilities resulted in a synergistic effect equal to a permanent partial disability enhancement of 19.5 weeks based on a 10% load factor.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award allowing workers' compensation benefits for Daniel W. Mahoney's right wrist injury sustained on February 27, 2004, while wrapping skids with a wrap gun. The Commission found the injury compensable and approved permanent total disability benefits, with the Second Injury Fund bearing liability for ongoing benefits beyond the employer's initial payment of permanent partial disability compensation.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to Telitha A. Miller, finding that her alleged May 12, 2004 right wrist injury did not arise out of and in the course of her employment as a napkin presser. No compensation was awarded in this case.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award regarding Mary Donohue's work-related injury to her left wrist sustained on April 15, 2002 at Moresource, Inc. The injury was found to be compensable under Missouri workers' compensation law, though no ongoing compensation or future medical care was awarded.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission modified the administrative law judge's award in a workers' compensation case involving Edward Lewis, who sustained a wrist injury on June 19, 2003. The Commission affirmed findings on past medical expenses, disfigurement, and permanent partial disability (20% right wrist, 15% left wrist), but reversed and modified the compensation rate, temporary total disability benefits, and Second Injury Fund liability determinations.